The fall season is well underway for Bradley athletics, and teams are finding their footing as they begin to climb towards the second half of the season.
Contributors Jake Aimone, Ian Manley and Carolina Martinez debate which fall sport has impressed the most so far.
Volleyball
By Jake Aimone
Bradley volleyball has proved through their non-conference action that your record is not the only way to impress.
As a team, the Braves have pounded the hardwood, recording at least 50 kills in all their matches except for three, including a 77-kill performance versus Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 11.
That was the most in a single game since Bradley put up 79 kills against Drake on Sept. 21, 2007.
Individually, the spotlight only shines brighter.
Sophomore standout Gracie Furlong notched her 500th career kill during the CEFCU Invitational this past weekend versus New Mexico State. On top of that, she has already put together four 20-plus-kill efforts – three more than last year.
A big reason for Furlong’s success is Bradley’s otherworldly setter, Maria Drapp. Tied for third in the nation with 501 total assists, Drapp has posted at least 30 assists in all but one match this season.
While their 5-7 record does not necessarily scream success, the Braves have impressed us night in and night out as they head into the crucial conference play.
Cross Country
By Carolina Martinez
The season of cross country is now underway, and the Braves are here for it. With only four meets before the Missouri Valley Championship, Bradley has already competed in half the season: Indiana University’s Sam Bell Invitational and their own Bradley Intercollegiate.
At the Sam Bell Invitational, the Men’s 6k team finished first overall, and junior Travis Gaffney outpaced the field with a first-place finish over the Hoosiers.
The Women’s 4k team secured a strong runner-up spot, and sophomore Noelle Steines led the pack with an individual second-place finish.
Both runners made their first career appearance as MVC Runners of the Week.
The Braves completed a weekend sweep at the Bradley Intercollegiate with perfect 15s. The men’s side competed in an 8k, with graduate student Caleb Lind taking the course all the way for his second time. The women finished a three-mile, and Steines ran away with her first collegiate win.
The Bradley women also scored 66 points ahead of conference competitor Drake University.
With so little time, the back-to-back conference champions have already shown what they can do, and it’s taking titles, perfect scores, top finishes and MVC recognition.
They’re not new to this; they’re true to it.
Soccer
By Ian Manley
Soccer has been the most improved sport for the Braves this year. The team has had a remarkable ability to avoid defeat, which was something they were very comfortable with last year.
Five of their eight matches have ended in draws, with their other three matches resulting in two wins and a loss. Eleven points from eight games is a pretty respectable result, especially considering the team had already dropped three games at this point last year.
The most notable thing about their performances is how high-scoring they are. The Braves often play games with four or more total goals, usually with some late excitement too. This shows a scrappy team willing to fight until the last whistle.
Senior Mitch Coughlon has led this scoring effort, notching not just the most goals on the entire team, but in the entire MVC itself. Thirteen of his 17 shots this season have been on target, with five of those resulting in goals. He is one of the most efficient players in the game right now.
As the team marches into conference play, one thing is remarkably clear –
They won’t back down from a fight.
